Miami compiled their trifecta of superstars and boasts high hopes for the next six years. Certainly, the concept of three top players has worked in the past, on both a short (Boston 2008: Allen, Pierce, Garnett and Philadelphia 1983: Malone, Erving, Toney) and long-term (Boston 1980s: Bird, McHale, Parrish and San Antonio 2000s: Duncan, Ginboli, Parker) basis. The concept of elite trios has also fallen short just as frequently (Los Angeles 1970s: West, Chamberlain, Baylor and 2004 Minnesota: Garnett, Spreewell, Cassells). While the transactions of July 8th will give the Heat a very strong chance, it is no guarantee.
There are many positives for Miami. Having three of the Association’s best players will definitely put points on the scoreboard. They may need a rebounding center, a defensive point guard, interior defence, and a swing player on the bench but LeBron James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade will lure other veterans to sign for the minimum.
The three can all support each other. Compared to Kobe Bryant, none of the Heat’s key players will get especially worn out by the long season. Miami should avoid playing all three together during the regular season, except for key situations. With two superstars on the court throughout the game, the opponents will be unable to relax. In fact, Wade could come off the bench and make a significant difference, like he did for the 2008 United States Olympic team.
Pat Riley is one of the best coaches in terms of motivating top talent, as he showed when he inspired Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to a championship repeat in 1988. He will be able to diagram systems to feature the strengths of James, Bosh, and Wade. It will be impossible to deny both wings during endgame situations and almost impossible if the Heat sign a deadly shooter. Riley has proven to be relatively shrewd as a general manager. Like Red Auerbach did during the 1960s, he should be able to sign the right free agents for one to three years to keep Miami rejuvenated.
Nevertheless, there will be obstacles. Firstly, any team with two solid big men, like Los Angeles, Chicago, or even New York in a few years if Anthony Randolph develops in the future (assuming that the Knicks sign Carmelo Anthony next summer), will challenge the Heat. They are also at risk against teams who have established their chemistry, like Los Angeles or Boston. It may take Miami a season to totally jell. Lastly, there will always be the threat that an exceptional scorer can pose, such as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, or Carmelo Anthony.
It seems like fans were annoyed by the way that LeBron James and Chris Bosh left their teams. Most people feel that the players had a right to practice free agency but the egocentric immature behaviour hurt the brand of both players. The ESPN television special was snobbish and shallow. Even Jim Gray’s ineffective interview could not hide LeBron James’ disdain for the rest of the population. It is a watershed moment that highlights the absurdity that has enveloped modern sport, which is more entertainment than athleticism.
Dwyane Wade had a history – and a championship – with Miami and might have stayed their irrespectively because the state income tax situation helps his divorce but James and Bosh should have considered the Chicago Bulls, who already had a star point guard and a defensive rebounder who only wants to run the fast break in place.
If the Bulls acquire a shooter, they will not only match the Heat in an Eastern Conference Final but they will beat them once (or more). Miami will have a hard time winning next year’s championship and will fall short at least another two times during the six year length of the contracts.